SPOTLIGHT ON FRANCE
Textile care sector holds steady as politics get rocky
Eugene Gerden reports on the French market as a parade of Prime Ministers appears to enter and depart via a fast-spinning revolving door
he French laundry and drycleaning sector is experiencing stable growth rates this year thanks to a steady demand from a strong tourism sector and the overall improvement of the current economic situation in the country. The situation does not mirror that of the Government which is in shambolic disarray following a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister in early September. According to news agency Reuters (Paris, 8 September): “France’s Parliament brought down the Government on Monday over its plans to tame the ballooning national debt, deepening a political crisis that is weakening the euro zone’s second-largest economy. Lawmakers voted to oust Prime Minister Francois Bayrou and his minority government with 364 votes against the veteran centrist politician and 194 in his favour.” Bayrou is the second Prime Minister
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of France to be ousted so far this year. Now, as LCNi goes to press, President Macron has named his close ally Sebastien Lecornu as new French PM. However, pundits say Lecornu will face tough battles over the budget as protests are set to take place. So, how can a country undergoing a national debt crisis have an economy that is actually doing not too badly? Let’s see. This year, the French economy generally stabilised after last year’s cuts for welfare, health, pensions and local governments, as well as tax rises, initiated by the former Prime Minister Michel Barnier. That created some hope for local economists and analysts about the growth of the French economy this year and some of its key sectors, including textile care services. Whether that continues in the light of recent events only time will tell. Historically, the French laundry and drycleaning sector has been characterised by a plenty of competition and the presence of a number of strong players. Despite the high level of inflation and generally tough economic climate in recent years, many leading local players have announced their
plans for the expansion of their French business, considering it as one of the most promising for growth in the EU market. One such company is Christeyns, which sees big prospects for growth in the French market in years to come. As Emmanuel Regourd, operational director for France, told LCNi, the industrial laundry market in France is currently benefiting from a favourable economic climate, providing good opportunities for growth to local players. According to Regourd: “This positive momentum is expected to continue in the coming years, within a context of strict environmental regulatory constraints. Current concerns of industry stakeholders, whether public or private, are focused on improving operational performance, monitoring wastewater discharge, and the need to reduce water and energy consumption. These issues are part of a broader ecological transition approach, encouraging laundries to make efforts in sustainability in order to reduce the environmental footprint of their activities.” He says the company is focusing on offering smart washing processes, a range of
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images/querbert
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